DIY Chevy Express 2WD Van Conversion | Build 2 Tour

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

Say hello to Betty, our 2006 Chevy Express 2WD van conversion. We've built out Betty to get us to adventures in beautiful, distant places while also housing us comfortably. We wanted a van we could live IN and OUT of, including a comfortable space to sleep, escape the elements, work from and ultimately live in for a long period of time. This conversion is what we call Betty 2.0. (There's now a Build 3 video on this channel.) For now, we're pretty happy with the progress we've made, and we think you will be too.
#chevyexpress #diyvanbuild #vanconversion #diy #offroadadventure #slowroamers #travelvlog #youtuber #roamlndr
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Пікірлер: 69

  • @patrickwoolery6000
    @patrickwoolery60002 ай бұрын

    The tiny wood stove may be my favorite part!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    2 ай бұрын

    We’re quite fond of it as well!😁

  • @luisramirez2263
    @luisramirez2263 Жыл бұрын

    Betty IS badass.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    This guys know.😁🙌🏻

  • @dogsbyfire
    @dogsbyfire Жыл бұрын

    Quite ingenious! Thanks for sharing. I would humbly suggest that you skip the winch. Instead, get a one-ton come along and a snatch block. This will make your total pulling power 4000 pounds. Then invest in 2 or more long lengths of synthetic winch rope along with a couple of axle straps and short lengths of chain so you can attach the pulling rope to any part of your van. It is quite beneficial to be able to pull the vehicle from three different points on the front and on the rear. Also, you should have a 4 foot metal fence post and a very small sledgehammer to drive into the ground because you are going so many places where there are not trees. This setup costs a fraction of the cost of a winch and it gives you far, far more versatility. I’ve pulled out many stuck vehicles over the past 30+ years in the back country, and I would never go back to having a winch on the front of my truck. Good luck on your travels!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the suggestions! I can definitely see the value in being able to pull off all corners. In the end I think we’ll still go with a winch, it would mainly be for recovering others I think. I’m hoping not to find myself in any kind of situation that I really need to winch a lot. Also, storage is a real concern for us…😬

  • @Rachel8aflamingo
    @Rachel8aflamingo Жыл бұрын

    Such a sick build!! 🤘

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Rachel!!!!🙌

  • @alexba1ley
    @alexba1ley Жыл бұрын

    Wow! What an intuitive design. Love the pulley system for couch/bed, tiny wood stove, cooktop in a drawer, trash cube/seat/footrest. And design is beautiful and cozy. Thanks for the tip on REE Solar. This is the first I've heard of them.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you like the design! Thanks for you kind words.😊 Definitely check out REE, really high quality stuff.

  • @brianlee445
    @brianlee4459 күн бұрын

    I would like to do a similar build. Good form!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    8 күн бұрын

    What’s stopping you?😁🙌🏻

  • @anneliesevoelker2502
    @anneliesevoelker25024 ай бұрын

    Great simple design.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    4 ай бұрын

    🙌🏻🙌🏻

  • @sitansusekharpanda3431
    @sitansusekharpanda3431 Жыл бұрын

    It's compact yet so functional n designed as per requirement 😍well gd lck for ur future trip n my kind regards from India😊❤️

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching Sitansu!

  • @VanwithTim
    @VanwithTim Жыл бұрын

    Love the tilting solar and exterior solar input port!

  • @jimshaw9449
    @jimshaw9449 Жыл бұрын

    Happy New Year! Xox

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Happy New Year, Jim!

  • @nichelles36
    @nichelles36Ай бұрын

    I like but, my back hurts just watching this😢. You're luck you have no back issues.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Ай бұрын

    Oh, I assure you, I’ve got back problems, especially after that winter-long trip in the van. We’ve since put a hightop on the van which allows me to extend my torso a little better. It’s not perfect, but it’s helped a lot. Thanks for watching!

  • @newcum75
    @newcum758 ай бұрын

    You have to show us how you built the bed! Awesome.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    8 ай бұрын

    We’ve got another van tour coming up, I’ll try to explain it better then.🙂

  • @newcum75

    @newcum75

    8 ай бұрын

    @@SlowRoamers yeah I'm 6'4 so I have to have my bed length wise.

  • @pdx650
    @pdx6503 ай бұрын

    SlowRoamers, I do want to get one of these Express vans for living. Prerequisites: 2010-2020, 2500 or 3500, 6-liter gas 'L96' engine, 'G' as the eighth digit in the VIN, no AFM, no DOD, no direct injection. All of those are bad components for this engine, extended 155-inch wheel base, cruise control, maybe install a highroof onto it so I could stand upright. Maybe a 4x4 conversion. Would like an OEM-installed 'G80' auto-locking rear differential or an ARB brand 'Air Locker'. Add solar panels. I have some Litime brand LiFePo4 batteries. They are marketed as 'trolling batteries'. They are 12.8 volt 100 AH batteries and I have three of them. They are not self-heating, but am considering a way to heat them when I move to Montana. I would sit the batteries on top of some silicone battery heating pads that are sandwiched between ceramic tiles. Great video, guys.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    3 ай бұрын

    Awesome! They’re fantastic vans, you won’t be disappointed!

  • @alistairjackson7658
    @alistairjackson7658 Жыл бұрын

    Super informative video, guys. Love how it all flows. Great teamwork and great job putting it all together. So professional!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks dad!

  • @craftonadventures
    @craftonadventures Жыл бұрын

    Nice job!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @domanfp
    @domanfp Жыл бұрын

    Keep the content coming

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Will do! Thanks for watching!

  • @toyo_roadrunner
    @toyo_roadrunner Жыл бұрын

    I have a 2wd 4runner I've been thinking about changing to 4wd but I've never really needed it even in some sketchy situations it always pulls through. Maybe a locker would be a better route. Awesome build guys!!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    I’ve actually been pretty impressed with the 2WD thus far, we’ve made it to a few really cool spots without the need for 4WD. But you’re right, a locker is definitely something I’d like to have. I’m not sure what’s involved in swapping a 2wd 4Runner to 4WD (we don’t have 2wd 4Runners in Canada really), but it would seem to me a far easier task to purchase a 4WD, but again, I’ve never looked into the swap. Thanks for watching the tour!

  • @WillemLuntungan
    @WillemLuntungan Жыл бұрын

    Nice car chwvi blazer ❤

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

  • @keng9357
    @keng93578 ай бұрын

    Wondering the manufacturer and part model used to convert the passenger seat to swivel thank you.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    8 ай бұрын

    Look for amazing auto LLC online, they have a Chevy Express specific swivel for both the passenger and driver seat. www.sprinterswivel.com/?tracking=6067381a724a0&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9rSoBhCiARIsAFOiplkutPiauf77QUqAOq1GfiieAOehrbybAJccmCZ9Jz5xAq6idHpI6VIaAuIYEALw_wcB

  • @markhomesteader3813
    @markhomesteader381310 ай бұрын

    Nice! What is the name of that shore charger / inverter again! A must have!!

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    10 ай бұрын

    It’s made by REE Solar, it’s a 3000w inverter charger, so it can be plugged into shore power. Check it out at www.reesolar.ca

  • @karenfranz7262
    @karenfranz72625 ай бұрын

    👍

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    5 ай бұрын

    🙌🏻🙌🏻

  • @JamesBrown-wk6yd
    @JamesBrown-wk6yd Жыл бұрын

    Great build, you two! The roof top exit for the stove pipe blew my mind. Any chance there's a link or address where those of us interested could place an order?

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey James, first off, thanks for watching! Second, you can find the flew pipe exit at www.tiny-stove.com 😁

  • @ryanfortin9166

    @ryanfortin9166

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@SlowRoamershow do we load the page in English?

  • @greghinkle381
    @greghinkle381 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome build..curious about the overall cost of the power system. I work on the road and have an express 1500 and would love a setup like this.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Off the top of my head it was around $3kCAD. 220w solar, 200ah LiPo battery, 3000w inverter/charger, 40a MPPT, 40a DC/DC and a few other things. That’s component cost, there’s a lot of secondary component, wire and misc cost involved as well. It’s not the cheapest option, but we haven’t been without power for 2.5 months and counting and we use a lot. Hope that helps. Cheers!

  • @guidok3762
    @guidok37627 ай бұрын

    Great video, greetings from the Netherlands. Can I bring my Dodge Pathfinder 4x4 Van to you?

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    7 ай бұрын

    All the way from the Netherlands? That’s a long drive!

  • @orlandobabe
    @orlandobabe Жыл бұрын

    I had no idea you could find a stove that small and it fits in the van.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, it’s a really great option if you’re not intending on relying 100% on wood heat. Fits in a small space and pumps out a lot of heat.

  • @orlandobabe

    @orlandobabe

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SlowRoamers and is it better then diesel heat or a/c heat?

  • @1g1d1w
    @1g1d1w10 ай бұрын

    Where is your bathroom? A bucket?

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    10 ай бұрын

    Watch our next episode, you’ll find out. 😉

  • @karenmiller6088
    @karenmiller608811 ай бұрын

    That was a really really nice tour. I don't think Betty is a good name though. He looks more like a Pablo for real.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching, Karen! You'll have to take up the renaming request with, Megan. She named Betty.😁😁😁

  • @bosshog1062
    @bosshog1062 Жыл бұрын

    DO YOU SELL THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS?

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately, no. They’re a one off build for my van.

  • @notme751
    @notme751 Жыл бұрын

    Air locking differential... Thank me later

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Already on the lift.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    List*

  • @ryanfortin9166
    @ryanfortin9166 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing build. How do I reach you?

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey Ryan, thanks for watching! I’m on FB (Roamlndr Creative) or you can find my info on my website www.roamlndr.ca!

  • @ryanfortin9166

    @ryanfortin9166

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SlowRoamers awesome ty. Are you in Canada? Thought I heard or read something about Vancouver? I'm in Ontario. I'm thinking about going to look at a Chevy Express Cargo Van 2500 in the next few days. First tho I'm gonna contact my insurance and see how much extra to add it to my policy. How is it on gas? I may have to get rid of my primary vehicle and have to just use this but I spend 8 hrs total every other weekend driving back and for to get my son altho with one of these setups tho I actually could just stay in town and save myself the drive bringing him back here and taking him back 👍 I'm actually loving the idea of building it with him.

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ryanfortin9166 We're from Vancouver Island. It does alright on gas. We have the 4.8L and it does about 17mpg as a factory build. We're doing around 13-15mpg.

  • @ryanfortin9166

    @ryanfortin9166

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SlowRoamers that's not too bad. I don't think lol. Well maybe it is. I'm going by my cars gas mileage but I think my car is measured by L And I think it gets about 12km/L but I could be wrong and not reading or understanding how the computer in it works. That's what I'm looking into getting I think is the 4.8.

  • @fr3847
    @fr3847 Жыл бұрын

    That bed is annoying lol

  • @SlowRoamers

    @SlowRoamers

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s not so bad. A little sticky due to a hasty construction, but it’s the best option for a bed to couch conversion in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

  • @notme751
    @notme751 Жыл бұрын

    More of her less of him.......

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